Urological stent therapy system and method
US6174305A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 3, 1998 |
| Grant date | Jan 16, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 3, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61L2400/16
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A stent system and method for use in the prostate gland. The stent is made of a shape memory alloy such as nitinol, and has a low temperature martensite state, with a martensite transition temperature below body temperature, and a high temperature austenite state, with an austenite transition temperature at or above body temperature, and a memorized shape in the high temperature austenite state which is a helical coil of diameter large enough to hold the prostatic urethra open. The stent is used to heat the prostate and is left in the prostatic urethra while the prostate heals. After the prostate is substantially healed, the stent is cooled to its martensite state and is easily removed from the urethra.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.